Chapter 36 – The Devil’s Business

The night was cold.

Haruto sat alone in his dimly lit room, the remnants of his brutal fight with Kirisaki still weighing on his mind. His knuckles were bruised, his muscles ached, but his heart was as steady as ever. The fight had triggered something. A distant memory. A name he had tried to bury.

The Devil.

Kirisaki had dared to mention it. And that alone meant the past was clawing its way back.

And then the doorbell rang.

Haruto's gaze sharpened.

At this hour?

He stood up, his instincts kicking in.

Danger.

Something wasn't right.

Slowly, he walked to the door and opened it.

And standing there, dressed in an expensive black suit, was a man unlike any Haruto had seen before.

His presence was suffocating.

Slicked-back silver hair. Deep, predatory eyes. A scar running from his left eyebrow down to his cheek.

He wasn't just dangerous. He was the kind of man who didn't fear death.

Behind him, two massive bodyguards stood motionless, their faces devoid of emotion.

"Haruto," the man greeted, his voice as smooth as silk. "It's been a long time."

Haruto's fingers twitched. "Who the hell are you?"

The man chuckled, stepping forward. "Oh? Have you already forgotten me?"

His grin widened. "I suppose you wouldn't recognize me like this. Last time, I was covered in blood, begging for my life."

Haruto's golden eyes narrowed.

And then it hit him.

A name.

A ghost from his past.

Leon Vescari.

The biggest drug dealer in the world.

---

The Past – The Devil's Business

Three years ago.

The warehouse smelled of blood and chemicals.

A group of men lay on the floor, their bodies twitching in their final moments. Haruto stood among them, his hands drenched in red.

And in front of him—Leon Vescari.

The once-powerful drug lord was on his knees, his expensive suit ruined, his face swollen and beaten. He had begged for mercy.

And Haruto, sitting on a pile of dead men, had simply smirked.

"You think I care about your money?" he had said, his voice as cold as ice. "You think I'm in this for power?"

Leon had trembled, blood dripping from his lips. "Then why?"

Haruto had leaned in.

And with a terrifyingly empty gaze, he had whispered:

"Because it's fun."

Leon had never forgotten that moment.

And now—he was standing at Haruto's doorstep.

---

Back to the Present – The Invitation

Haruto's lips curled into a cold smile. "You're still alive?"

Leon smirked. "Surprised?"

Haruto didn't answer. He could kill him right now. A single punch and Leon's skull would crack like glass.

But instead—he stepped aside. "Come in."

Leon walked in without hesitation. His bodyguards remained outside, like statues guarding a kingdom.

Haruto gestured toward the couch. "Talk."

Leon sat down, crossing his legs elegantly. "It's been three years, Haruto. I never thought I'd see you again."

Haruto remained standing. "Skip the small talk."

Leon chuckled. "Straight to business. As expected from The Devil."

Haruto's eyes darkened. "Don't call me that."

Leon raised his hands in mock surrender. **"Fine, fine. But you can't run from it. The underworld still remembers you. And more importantly—they still fear you."

Haruto said nothing.

Leon leaned forward. "Which is why I'm here. I need your help."

Haruto scoffed. "Since when do you ask for help?"

Leon's smile faded. "Because there's a storm coming. A war."

Haruto's expression didn't change. "And?"

Leon's next words were quiet. Deadly.

"Because you're the only one who can stop it."

---

The Offer – Return to the Underworld

Haruto leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "And why the hell would I care?"

Leon sighed, rubbing his temples. "Because you started it."

Haruto's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Leon exhaled. "After you disappeared, the underworld collapsed. The balance was shattered. Without The Devil keeping order, everyone thought they could be king. And now?"

His eyes gleamed. "A new syndicate has risen. They call themselves The Revenants. And they want you dead."

Haruto didn't flinch. "Let them try."

Leon chuckled. "Oh, they will. And they won't just come for you. They'll come for everyone around you."

Haruto's gaze darkened. That wasn't a threat.

It was a promise.

Leon pulled out a cigarette, lighting it casually. **"You may have tried to live a normal life, Haruto. But you know better than anyone—the past never lets go."

He took a slow drag.

"The Devil can't die."

Haruto clenched his fists.

He had tried to leave that world behind.

But now—it was coming for him.

And this time… he couldn't ignore it.

---

To Be Continued…